Thursday, 01 December 2011

Bristol Rovers: 10 Handy facts on AFC Totton

Bristol Rovers could become the victim of an FA Cup giant killing this weekend when they travel to AFC Totton, but how much do you know about the hosts?

The Pirates saw off the threat of Blue Square North side Corby Town in the last round, but that was at the Memorial Stadium. This time they are away to AFC Totten who produced the round’s most amazing scoreline as they beat Bradford Park Avenue 8-1 to reach the Second Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

AFC Totton began their FA Cup run on October 15 when they beat Weymouth 4-2 at home. Their reward for that was another home tie against Hanworth Villa. The Mighty Stags squeezed past the Villa 3-2. They then went goal crazy against Bradford Park Avenue – again at home – to set up this weekend’s Second Round clash with the Pirates. But here are 10 handy facts on AFC Totton.

AFC Totton play in the Evo-Stick South Premier Division and are currently pushing for a promotion place. They have scored 37 goals and conceded just 13 in 16 league games this season and with a goal difference of +24 AFC Totton will be tough opposition for the Pirates.

The club were formed in 1886 and were originally known as Totton Football Club. They were one of the founder members of the Hampshire FA. In 1975 they changed their name to AFC Totton.

AFC Totton play their home games at the Testwood Stadium in Totton, in Hampshire. Their home ground has a capacity of 3,000. They marked their first game at the new stadium on February 19, 2011, with a convincing 5-1 win over Paulton. The Testwood Stadium reportedly cost £2.5 million to build.

Totton has a population of about 28,000 and laid claim to being the largest village in England until it became a town in 1974.

AFC Totton won the Hampshire Senior Cup for the second season running last year. They beat Sholing 3-1 in the final played at St Mary’s Stadium. It completed the double for the Stags after they won promotion from Division South & West to the Southern Premier Division as champions.

Striker Stefan Brown came off the bench to score a 15 minute hat-trick in the last round against Bradford Park Avenue. That achievement saw him named Budweiser’s Player of the Round. He is also the club’s highest goalscorer in the FA Cup this season.

Keep an eye out for these three. Michael Gosney is the club’s highest scorer in the league this season with 10. However, he is closely followed by Michael Charles and Nathaniel Sherborne with seven each. If there’s one thing AFC Totton can promise it’s goals.

In 2007 the club became one of the first teams to play at the new Wembley Stadium, as they took on Truro City in the FA Vase. It was the first time they had reached the final of the competition. They made a dream start, going 1-0 after 27 minutes. Unfortunately, in front of 36,232 – a record attendance for the competition – The Stags were shot down 3-1.

AFC Totton’s highest gate of the season so far is 580 when they entertained Weymouth. The Stags ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Ian Richardson and Gosney. Their lowest gate was 252 in August when they thrashed Swindon Supermarine 4-0 thanks in part to a Sherborne hat-trick.

The FA Cup run has generated an extra £100,000 for the club. The game against Bristol Rovers will be screened live on ITV1 on Sunday, December 4, 2011.

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Bristol Rovers: 10 Handy facts on AFC Totton

Bristol Rovers could become the victim of an FA Cup giant killing this weekend when they travel to AFC Totton, but how much do you know about the hosts?

The Pirates saw off the threat of Blue Square North side Corby Town in the last round, but that was at the Memorial Stadium. This time they are away to AFC Totten who produced the round’s most amazing scoreline as they beat Bradford Park Avenue 8-1 to reach the Second Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.

AFC Totton began their FA Cup run on October 15 when they beat Weymouth 4-2 at home. Their reward for that was another home tie against Hanworth Villa. The Mighty Stags squeezed past the Villa 3-2. They then went goal crazy against Bradford Park Avenue – again at home – to set up this weekend’s Second Round clash with the Pirates. But here are 10 handy facts on AFC Totton.

AFC Totton play in the Evo-Stick South Premier Division and are currently pushing for a promotion place. They have scored 37 goals and conceded just 13 in 16 league games this season and with a goal difference of +24 AFC Totton will be tough opposition for the Pirates.

The club were formed in 1886 and were originally known as Totton Football Club. They were one of the founder members of the Hampshire FA. In 1975 they changed their name to AFC Totton.

AFC Totton play their home games at the Testwood Stadium in Totton, in Hampshire. Their home ground has a capacity of 3,000. They marked their first game at the new stadium on February 19, 2011, with a convincing 5-1 win over Paulton. The Testwood Stadium reportedly cost £2.5 million to build.

Totton has a population of about 28,000 and laid claim to being the largest village in England until it became a town in 1974.

AFC Totton won the Hampshire Senior Cup for the second season running last year. They beat Sholing 3-1 in the final played at St Mary’s Stadium. It completed the double for the Stags after they won promotion from Division South & West to the Southern Premier Division as champions.

Striker Stefan Brown came off the bench to score a 15 minute hat-trick in the last round against Bradford Park Avenue. That achievement saw him named Budweiser’s Player of the Round. He is also the club’s highest goalscorer in the FA Cup this season.

Keep an eye out for these three. Michael Gosney is the club’s highest scorer in the league this season with 10. However, he is closely followed by Michael Charles and Nathaniel Sherborne with seven each. If there’s one thing AFC Totton can promise it’s goals.

In 2007 the club became one of the first teams to play at the new Wembley Stadium, as they took on Truro City in the FA Vase. It was the first time they had reached the final of the competition. They made a dream start, going 1-0 after 27 minutes. Unfortunately, in front of 36,232 – a record attendance for the competition – The Stags were shot down 3-1.

AFC Totton’s highest gate of the season so far is 580 when they entertained Weymouth. The Stags ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Ian Richardson and Gosney. Their lowest gate was 252 in August when they thrashed Swindon Supermarine 4-0 thanks in part to a Sherborne hat-trick.

The FA Cup run has generated an extra £100,000 for the club. The game against Bristol Rovers will be screened live on ITV1 on Sunday, December 4, 2011.